Love This: Arctic Zero

Oh my! Yesterday I experienced the awesomeness of Arctic Zero for the first time - WOW! I tried the chocolate and not only was it nutritious, but it was beyond delicious and satisfying. I will never crave 'real' ice cream again - I have a feeling my love for Arctic Zero is going to turn into a delicious addiction. :)

 I think I am going to have to try another flavor tonight - mint chocolate chip or vanilla maple? Decisions, decisions. :)

What are your favorite flavors?

Nutritional Information

1/2 cup - 4 Servings per container

Calories 37

Total Fat 0g

  Saturated Fat 0g 

Sodium 80mg

Total Carbohydrate 6g

  Fiber 2g

  Sugars 5g

Protein 3.4g

1st Homemade Burger

To me, nothing says summer like a juicy homemade hamburger. The hubby and I attempted our 1st homemade burgers and I have to say - they were pretty outstanding!

Ingredients

1 lb 96/4 Ground Beef

1 Onion

1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 serving of Egg Beaters

3/4 cup Special K Protein Plus

Directions

1. Put cereal into food processor for a few seconds.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Separate mixture into 4 equal amounts.
4. Roll into balls and flatten out to about 1/2 inch thick.
5. Throw the patties on the grill and enjoy.

I paired the juicy patty with a Nature's Own Whole Wheat Sandwich Roll - only 130 calories per roll. We played a round of golf before dinner, so for a little extra treat - a serving of Oreida Steak Fries for 110 calories.

Nutritional Information

1 patty - Recipe makes 4, 4oz patties

Calories 180

Total Fat 5.5g

  Saturated Fat 2g 

Sodium 154mg

Total Carbohydrate 8g

  Fiber 2g

  Sugars 3g

Protein 29g


This entire meal totaled 420 calories - not bad for a burger and fries! Definitely a new summer favorite and I HIGHLY recommend the recipe. :)

1st Soup

gaz·pa·cho: a Spanish-style soup made from tomatoes and other vegetables and spices, served cold. -- It's delicious, easy to make and will impress your friends too.

Ingredients
3 cups V8 Spicy Hot Low Sodium Vegetable Juice
4 Plum Tomatoes
1 Cucumber, seedless
1 Green Bell Peppers, cored and seeded
1 Red Onion
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
3 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbsp Lime Juice
Black pepper, cayenne pepper and/or basil as desired

Directions

1. Roughly chop cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes and red onions into 1 inch cubes.
2. Combine all ingredients into blender or food processor and puree, do not over process.
3. Cover and chill for 2+ hours.

Nutritional Information

1 cup - Recipe makes approximately 10 cups

Calories 35

Total Fat 0g

  Saturated Fat 0g 

Sodium 74mg

Total Carbohydrate 8g

  Fiber 2g

  Sugars 5g

Protein 1g


Can't wait to take it to family dinner, my mother-in-law is going to love it!

1st Cookie - No bueno

I was so excited to try a cookie recipe after the wonderful succes of my 1st Baking Experience, but the Low-fat Applesauce Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe I tried did not turn out so great. They tasted like...well, baked oatmeal. Bummer.

Below is the recipe I followed, I am going to try them again with a little tweaking and hopefully they will taste more like...a cookie! :)

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1/2 cup whole wheat flower

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup raisin

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 tsp nutmeg

• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
2. Mix together oatmeal, whole wheat flour, soda and nutmeg.
3. In a large bowl, mix together applesauce, honey, and vanilla. Beat in the dry mixture until just blended. Fold in raisins.
4. Roll in small bowls and smash to 1/4" thickness on the cookie sheet.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 22-25 minutes.

Nutritional Information

1 serving - Recipe makes approximately 12 cookies

Calories 113

Total Fat 1g

  Saturated Fat 0g 

Sodium 52mg

Potassium 11g

Total Carbohydrate 24g

  Fiber 2g

  Sugars 12g

Protein 3g

Sweetwater Spice Strikes Again

There is a new favorite in our house, Sweetwater Spice Company! Their delicious brine's have put a whole new twist on grilling AND they are a Texas company - always a plus in my book. nom nom nom :)

Last week we tried the Smoked Habanero brine and it was outstanding! The hubby surprised me and picked up a different flavor, Tres Chilies, AMAZING!

"A little more spice than the mild Apple Chipotle, the Tres Chilies derives a smokey flavor from mesquite smoked salt (no smoke flavoring) and smoked chilies."
- Sweetwater Spice Company

Can't wait for another grilling out night!

Smoked Habanero Grilled Chicken

The hubby found this delicious Smoked Habanero brine at Whole Foods the other day.

According to Sweetwater Spice Company, "brines are the perfect preparation for grilling...because brining prevents overcooking – ensuring that the final product is moist and flavorful, something a sauce cannot do." - oh boy, were they right! 

Yum! It was easy to prepare too:

1. Place meat in a plastic bag or re-sealable container.
2. Shake bottle well, pour over meat, then add equal parts water (approx 1/2 cup of BBQ bath & 1/2 cup of water per lb of meat).
3. Squeeze excess air out bag, let meat soak in BBQ bath (30 min - 1 hour, depending on meat and cut) - make sure it is completely submerged in bath.
4. Drain the brine and you're ready to cook!

Sweetwater Spice Company knows what they are talking about! I can't wait to try another flavor - maybe lime jalapeno? 

1st Baking Experience

Low-fat Blueberry Bran Muffins! I survived my 1st baking experience - delicious! :)

I found this recipe but made a few substitutions - almond milk, all whole wheat flour and egg beaters.


Ingredients
1 1/2 cups wheat bran
1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 serving egg beaters
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup blueberries

• 
  
• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or use paper muffin liners. Mix together wheat bran and milk, and let stand for 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix together applesauce, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla. Beat in bran mixture. Sift together whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir into bran mixture until just blended. Fold in blueberries. Scoop into muffin cups.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tops spring back when lightly tapped.

Nutritional Information

1 serving - Recipe makes 12
Calories 101
Total Fat 1g
  Saturated Fat 0g 
Sodium 228mg
Potassium 63g
Total Carbohydrate 23g
  Fiber 5g
  Sugars 10g
Protein 3 g


They turned out perfectly moist, gooey and sweet - highly recommend this recipe! Next up, low-fat oatmeal raisin cookies. :)